Oil cracking apparatus



I. W. HENRY Dec. 4, 1934.

OIL CRACKING APPARATUS Original Filed May 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec.4, 1934. w HENRY OIL CRACKING APPARATUS Original Filed May 6, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 4, 1934. w. HENRY 1,983,028

' OIL CRACKING APPARATUS Original Filed May 6, 1929 3 SheetS -Sheet sPatented Dec. 4, 1934 OIL CRACKING APPARATUS Ira Walton Henry,Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Ionizing Corporation of America, New York,N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application May 6, 1929,Serial No. 360,926. Divided and this application March 20, 1930; SerialNo. 437,557. Renewed April'24,

12 Claims. (Cl. 204-31) This invention relates mainly to improvements inoil cracking apparatus.

This application is a division of my application Serial No.-360,926,filed May 6, 1929, for Heat treatment of petroleum oil vapor and otherhydrocarbonaceou's starting material: method andapparatus.

One object of my invention is more effectively to dissociate or ionizethe petroleum oil, vapor or other hydrocarbon starting material, such ascrude petroleum, raw gasoline, or other petroleum oils ortheir vapors bypassing them through an electromagnetic field in a new and hithertounknown advantageous way, as described below, for production ofgasoline, or other products from a suitable starting material.

Another object of the invention is to improve present petroleum oilcracking operations by suddenly raising to a cracking temperature theoil vapor or gases, after they have been preliminarily obtained by heattreatment, and while they are at a relatively high temperature ofapproximately 500 or 600 F. and before such preheated, hot, gaseousvapor is led into a heat interchanger, such as a condenser or other appratus for reception of the cracked vapor.

By this feature of my invention the gaseous vapor is given a suddenincrease in temperature while it is in its pre-heated condition and isflowing to auxiliary apparatus.

It is well known that final cracking must be accomplished withintemperatures that will not cause the gaseous vapors to carbonize; and mypresent invention suffices for obtainment of fin l and complete crackingwithout carbonization, and thus pertains to one of the most criticalsteps illthe cycle of production of light hydrocarbons, such as gasolinefor example. I have discovered that the desired result, withoutcarbonization, is

obtainable by giving the pre-heated, vapor or oil a sudden increase ofapproximately 200 F. or even higher temperature, a hot shock as itwere,+

' just before the vapor goes to a heat interchanger or the like;superheating the hotvapor to from between 500 or 600 Fahrenheit ;p' toapproximately 800 F. depending on the quality of the oil to be cracked.A

My apparatus herein set forth is useful in other connections than aboveindicated, and I do w not intend to limit my claims to its use only inthe described manner but to claim it broadly for every use to whichitcan be put.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and illustrating'mypresent invention in different forms, v

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a cracking still provided with exteriorheating means and having a discharge pipe communicating with my newsuperheater which discharges into a heat intcrchanger.

Fig. 2 is a lengthwise, central section and elevational view of one formof my new superheater embodying the invention, in communication with apre-heated, hot gaseous vapor, supply pipe and also in communicationwith a pipe for discharging the superheated vapor into a desiredappational view-0f another form of the superheater illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a lengthwise, central section and elevational view of anotherform of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. This Fig. 4 form of theinvention is the preferred and best form of the invention now known tome for all now contemplated uses of my invention. I will first describethe apparatus in its use as a preheater in which a pyrometer isemployed.

In all the figures, a pyrometer is shown as a member of the.superheatenthe pyrometer having a heat sensitive element exposed to theaction of a high frequency, oscillating electromagnetic, hot-field,effecting apparatus and means for controlling the heat, the heatsensitive element of .the pyrometer being inductively heated from theelectromagnetic field.

Referring-to the different forms of the invention illustrated in thedrawings,-

In Fig. 1, B diagrammatically indicates any of the usual type ofapparatus in which petroleum oil is vaporizedby application of externalheat. For illustration, apparatus B may be supposed to be a stillprovided with either side or'bottom heating devices, as at B. In suchapparatus, long commonly used for crude oil vaporizing, a delivery pipe2 leads to some-kind of vapor treating apparatus such as B which may beeither a heat interchanger, condenser, expansion chamber, or otherwise.Heretofore, the hot vapors flowing through the pipe 2 have deposited a.carbon content on the walls of thepipe and other walls with which theyhave 'come in contact, thus carbonizing the walls and also impairing thequality of the distilled product by the presence of excess carbon in thedistillate. In my opinion, based on my experience and work done in thisconnection, the result of subjecting'the pre-heated vapors to the actionof the high frequency, os-

cillating, electromagnetic field herein mentioned is to break up thecarbon molecules in the vapor into exceedinglysmall electrifiedparticles, and thus to involve ionization. At any rate, by my inventionthe deposit 'of carbon from the heated and cracked vapor in the pipe ispractically prevented, the quality of the ultimate product, such asgasoline or the like, being materially improved. By my invention, I givethe hot, pre-heated vapor or vapors, while flowing from the still, asudden boost in temperature or hot shock as above described, and havediscovered that by so doing carbonization of the pre-heated cracked oilvapors, during their discharge flow is, largely and in some caseswholly, obviated. Indeed the sudden hot shock given to the hot vapor inits flow is a cracking step.-

Fig. 2 shows a vapor or oil conduit A of electric current conductingmaterial. Conduit A is tappedat 1 into the starting material or vaporsupply pipe 2 and is extended into an elongated coil which terminatesand discharges at 3 within an expansion chamber structure A ofdielectric material, such as ceramic, pyrex or the like or any othersuitable materiaL. The expansion chamber structure A is shown annular incross "section and is in effect a cross sectionally enlarged extensionof conduit A. It has a closed end wall 4, preferably at its end nearestthe takeoff, at 1, of the starting material; is of an interior crosssection substantially larger than that of conduit A in order to permitexpansion of the vapor discharged into the expansion chamber from theconduit A at 3. An end of the expansion chamber, preferably furthestfrom the discharge at 3, is open and in communication with a dischargeor delivery pipe 5 which conveys the superheated vapor to any desiredapparatus, such as a heatinterchanger, condenser or otherwise. Theinterior circular wall of. expansion chamber A. has a lining 6 of somesuitable refractory material, such, for example, as asbestos. Thepurpose of lining 6 is to support the. edges of each of, preferably aseries of transverse, vapor-baffling and passing means 7 shown as metalwire screens through the interspaces of which the superheated vapor mayflow. In all forms of the invention, the lining 6 serves to diminishescape of the electromagnetic energy from the expansion chamber. Theperipheral margin of such scre ns is anchored in the asbestos or otherlining, out of contact with the wall of' the expansion chamber structureA, as shown at-8, in order to prevent unequal heating of the metalscreen or other equivalent vapor bafliing and passing elements whichalso function as short circuited secondaries in the superheater, whenthe energizing current is on. A pyrometer having a heat sensitive,element 9 is provided for the expansion chamber, and is located withinthe infiuence of an oscillating electromagnetic field established byanenergizing, alternating, electric current within the expansion chamber,and within and exteriorly of the coiled portion of conduit A which is ofcopper or other suitable, altemating, electric current conductingmaterial. The pyrometer includes an exteriorly observable heat degreeindicator 10. The ends of expansion chamber structure A are shownelectrically insulated at 11 from -the starting material supply pipe 2and also from the discharge and delivery pipe5. The coiled portion ofconduit A is elec':

trically connected at 12-12, spacedly-apart, with the ends of analternating electric current conductor l313, each leading from a brush1% of ii-n alternating electric current dynamo 15. A

'to install such coiled portion of the starting material conduit Ainside the expansion chamber and within the lining 6 as shown in Fig. 4.

The degree of heat generated in the expansion chamber, at any givenmoment, is determinedelectrically by regulation of the current, and isknown instantly to an attendant by his observation of a correspondingpyrometer reading. This structure permits the apparatus to be used as asuperheater or heat'booster for givingpre-heated hydrocarbonaceousvapors, or other fluid starting material, supplied to conduit A frompipe 2 a sudden increase in temperature. The attendant can instantlyraise or boost the temperature of the pre-heated starting material byregulation of 10 the current, and by observation of the pyrometerreading give the material a sudden increase in temperature.

,.;The short circuited, secondary forming screens I T form electricresistances in the electromagnetic field and may be very highly heated,even to the melting point ifit were so desired; but-in use thetemperature effected in the expansion chamber is to be varied, usuallyaccording to the quality and character .of the starting materiahas abovestated, the pre-heated vapors received from the supply pipe beingusually of a temperature about 200 F. lower than that suddenly giventhem in the expansion chamber by. regulated operation of the apparatuswhich forms a superheater if it is so u used as just described.

As the dynamo and high frequency, alternating current generating,distributing and heat control apparatus above described are shown andidentified by corresponding reference numerals in remaining figures ofthe drawings, no further detailed description thereof will be given.

In Fig. 3, the expansion structure A differs from that above describedin that both its ends are closed except for its intake port 17 anddischarge port18. Starting material, such as any petroleum oil or vapor,for example, supplied to the expansion chamber will be vaporized if thestarting material is oil; or further and more actively vaporand willfiow out through discharge port 18 into the partially coiled conduit Aand be discharged therefrom at its discharge end 19; If desired, thestarting material could be introduced into the expansion chamber throughthe discharge end 19, circulated through the coil, discharged-expandingly into the expansion chamber, and fiow out through the intakeport 18, involving a reversal of the initial supply andultimatedischarge. In all other respects this form of the invention islike that set forth in connection with the Fig. '2 form.

In Fig. 4 there are no short circuited, secondary forming elements,the-screens being omitted. The coiled portion of conduit -A is withinthe expansion chamber and its convolutions serve 'as gaseous 1 ,5

tromagnetic field which is generated when the energizing current is on,becomes heated and may be highly heated, and the starting material inthe coil is subject to influence of the heat and of the high frequencyoscillations of the electromagnetic field. In this form of the apparatusor superheater, the starting material is assumed to be taken into anoutside portion of conduit A, as

' at 20; to flow through the interior coiled portion of the conduitandto discharge at 21 into the expansion chamber from which the superheatedvapor treated'flows out through a discharge or delivery pipe 22.

In practice, I employ a frequency of between and about 760 and 2,000cycles per second as the particular character or quality-of the hot,gaseous vapor to be superheated may require.

If desired, a catalyst may be located in the electromagnetic field. Thescreen '7, one or. all may be of catalytic metal.

Preferably the suddenly superheated and cracked vapor issuddenly'chilled in the heat interchanger, and the apparatus shown issuitable.

for this important purpose and the constituents of the finished productare fixed and stabilized by the sudden changes in temperature, the hightemperatures being affected by induction from the hot, electromagneticfield.

I have found that gasoline cracked in a hot, high frequency oscillatingelectromagnetic field contains a hitherto undiscovered and unrecognizedwaxy substance which is negligible in quantity but which indicates a neweffect of the hot electromagnetic-field and the action thereof, whateverit may be on the petroleum oil vapor treated.

In the structure of Fig. 4, the high frequency, oscillating current inthe turns of the coil re-acts on itself and heats the coil.

The foregoing description refers particularly, apart from description ofthediffering forms of the invention, to use of the structure in suddenlyraising the temperature of the starting material, whatever it is,whether an oil or a gas.

I will now set forth additional advantages and features of the inventionwhen used for production of gasoline or other products withoutpreheating, but at any suitable temperature in the coil, screens orexpansion chamber.

An important feature of the invention is the location of the coil withinthe expansion chamber and its insulation from the side wall of chamberstructure A by the asbestos mat 6. Hereby the energy of theelectromagnetic field is conserved to a very high degree fordisintegration actionwithin the expansion chamber or still on the mattertreated within it; and the more or less dangerous field oscillations orpulsations outside the still are so greatly reduced as greatly toincrease safety-. to persons using. the still or apparatus. This'is'one'of the reasons why the Fig. 4 structure is the preferred structure.

I havepointed out above that a catalyst may be located in theelectromagnetic field; that the screens 7 may be of catalytic metal; andthat the screens as well as the convolutions of the coil on Fig. 4 actas baflles. It is a feature of this invention substantially to retardoutflow of the treated material from the expansion chamber or still;that is, substantially to prolong the period of its subjection to theelectromagnetic field force, for thereby I have found that a greatlysuperior quality of either gasoline or other products may beproduced-'by what may be metaphorically called-cooking the vapor.

The Fig. 4 structure is also greatly preferable to the other.illustrated structures because it serves a double field treatment of thevapor or vaporizing oil. The material entrant into the intake end 20 ofthe coil supply pipe is first subjected to electromagnetic field actionwhile within and flowing through the coil turns, as the fieldoscillations or pulsations are partly through the coil wall and thespace or chamber enclosed by the wall. As the coil product-vaporflowsout of the coil, at 21, into the expansion chamber or space, the vapordischarged instantly expands, and in its flow to the discharge port orpipe 22, flows through the field oscillations or pulsations exterior tothe coil turns, thus involving a double field treatment of thedischarged product.

The different portions of this "new structure maybe made of any suitablematerial. The casing A may be made of a ceramic material if desired;insulating material other than asbestos may be used for the lining 6;the coil may be made of copper, or whenever desired, of a suitablecatalytic metal, of which catalytic metal the screens '7 are preferablymade. apart for more effective retardation of vapor escape. The screensare baffle plates. The coil The screens 7 are spacedturns in Fig. 4 arebaflling elements and may be catalysts. Screens '7 may be inserted inthe ex- I will now set forth new and formerly unexpected effectsobtained from use of this invention,

.wholly apart from its first described use as a mere superheater.

What I claim is:

i 1. The combination with a crude oil vaporizing still including stillheating means and a discharge pipe; and a heat interchanger in conduitcommunication with said discharge pipe; of a superheater conduit inintermediate communication with said discharge pipe and with the intakeof said heat interchanger; means for heating the superheater conduitinductively from a high frequency, oscillating electromagnetic field;and means for establishing a high frequency, oscillating electromagneticfield within and adjacent the superheater conduit; the latter meansincluding a heat regulating device; said means for heating thesuper-heater conduit inductively including a high frequency;oscillating, hollow electric-current-conducting coil having an intakeforoilvapor to be'treated and a discharge for vapor treated, allarranged and operating for suddenly induit at the will of the operator.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of an expansionchamber structure; an

electromagnetic field generating hollow coil; said expansion chamberbeing positioned within the generated electro-magnetic field; aninsulating lining for the chamber wall between it and the coil turns;and current generating and current control apparatus in circuit with thecoil; the wall of the expansion chamber being connectible with a supplypipe and also witha discharge pipe; the supply pipe communicating withthe coil spacefor flow of material from the supply pipe through thecoil.

3. Inthe combination set forth in claim 2, a series of spaced apartbaffling members insulatedly mounted transversely of said chamber and ofthe coil axis.

. -4. In the combination set forth in claim 2, a bafiling member; thecoil discharging into the expansion chamber at a place remote from thedischarge port thereto to cause the expanded vapor issuing from the coilto pass the baflie and the electromagnetic field and to be retarded inits outflow by the baflle.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with electriccurrent generating and control apparatus; of a'hollow electric currentconducting coil in circuit with said apparatus; and an expansion chamberstructure into the chamber of which the coil discharges said expansionchamber being positioned within the generated electric field of saidelectric current-conducting coil; the coil having an intake end forsupply of material to be treated. I

6. In apparatus of the class described; the combination of oil crackingapparatus and a heat interchanger with an intermediate conduit form;-ing apparatus in communication with both the oil cracking apparatus andthe heat interchanger; said intermediate apparatus including an electriccurrent conducting and electromagnetic field generating hollow coilserving also as a conduit between the cracking apparatus and theinterchanger; the coil being provided with a walled expansion space; andan electric current generating, electromagnetic field inducing,frequencyregulating and current control apparatus with which the coil isin circuit said expansion chamber being positioned within the inducedelectromagnetic'field of said electric current-conducting hollow coil.

7. In the combination set forth inclaim s, the coil being exteriorlyinsulated.

8. In the combination set forth in claim 6, the expansion space having aconduit wall enclosing it; the coil being in said space and insulatedfrom said wall.

9. In the combination set forth in claim 6, said hollow coil beinginsulatedly mounted within a chambered expansion chamber structure, incommunication with the supply pipe and discharging into the expansionchamber remotely from the intake end of the coil and from the dischargeport of the expansion chamber whereby the material flowing through thecoil is acted on while flowing; expanded on its discharge, and thenpasses through the electromagnetic field ex eriorly of the coil into theconduit leading to the heat interchanger. v v

10. In the combination set forth in claim 6, vapor escape retardingmeans within the expansion space.

11, In the combination set forth in claim 6,

vapor escape retarding elements of catalytic IRA WALTON HENRY.

